Only one flood warning remained in place in Wales, for the River Teifi at Lampeter and Llanybydder, but the receding waters have highlighted the devastation caused by the rising waters.

Andy Francis, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, warned locals to take extra care after sewers overflowed sending 'biohazards' pouring into homes.

"There's mass scale damage to caravan parks and indeed, more importantly really, to private dwellings throughout the area," said Mr Francis.

"A lot of flood water's gone through them, leaving a huge amount of damage, and a residual danger as well from the biohazards, from sewerage, and other contaminants that have entered the waters.

"Lots of sewers may have been damaged, and indeed gas and water supplies damaged, so my advice to anybody entering their properties this morning is to take sensible precautions, make sure your gas and electricity are checked, preferably turned off now, and checked by qualified persons before you actually reactivate them, and indeed take sensible precautions and protection against the biohazards from possible contaminants that may have entered the water during the flood period."

He said high river levels remained a risk. "Please do not go near the water, it's still extremely dangerous, and don't try to drive through it either, because you will end up becoming a casualty and requiring rescue."

A large-scale rescue operation swung into action after heavy rainfall sent water several feet deep surging through communities in west Wales.

Some 150 people were rescued and evacuated to the centres as caravan parks and villages near Aberystwyth were inundated after twice as much rain fell in 24 hours than normally falls in the area in the whole of June.

Police said the overall number who left their homes, including those who did not need to go to the centres, was nearer 1,000.

Last night a spokeswoman said: ''Numbers in rest centres have fallen as people try to make their own arrangements but some people are spending the night there.''

Senior politicians, including Prime Minister David Cameron, paid tribute to Royal Air Force helicopter crews, fire service teams, coastguard and RNLI lifeboat crews and the emergency services who ensured there were no serious casualties.

An inshore lifeboat team taking part in relief efforts had to be airlifted when they got into difficulties after helping to pluck a disabled man from a flooded caravan because a Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopter was 20 minutes' flying time away.

Four holiday camps along the River Lery were evacuated when the swollen waters breached its banks.

The Secretary of State for Wales said: "This has been a very impressive operation in horrific weather conditions and with unprecedented flood levels.

"Those involved in the rescue mission at the caravan parks ... have acted quickly and with courage."

Mr Jones was "very concerned" about the flooding.

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: "He has been receiving updates throughout the day on the situation.

"The First Minister's thanks go to all those involved in the rescue operation."

Dozens of people took refuge in a community centre in Talybont and three people were winched away from the Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre by RAF Sea King helicopters.

Dyfed-Powys Police said three people needed treatment for minor injuries.

Two villages near York were hit by flash floods yesterday, leaving properties inundated.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said they pumped water out of Flaxton and Stockton-on-the-Forest after torrential rain yesterday afternoon.

The flooding was concentrated in Main Street in Flaxton and Sandy Lane in Stockton-on-the-Forest.

Flaxton resident Sarah Jackson told the York Press: "The whole ground went white with the ice from the hail storm. I have lived here for 17 years and have never, ever experienced anything like this. There was thunder and lightning for over an hour."